In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. 13 Hair Sheep Breeds You Should Know About - The Homesteading Hippy They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. As hair sheep breeds become more popular, it will be important for breeders to ensure the future integrity of the breeds. In general they have low maintenance requirements. Though not year-round breeders, Tunis often breed out of season, with the occasional lamb (or two) born in late Summer / Fall. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. As we disperse all our crossbreeds, weve found the crossbred cull ewes with a wool coat have sold for 50-75percentof what comparable weight hair ewes bring. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. Looking forward to reply. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Katahdins often breeding out of season. To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. They will definitely get too fat. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In 1975 Utah State University imported a small flock of Virgin Island White which is the basis for the present St. Croix breed in North America. Updated: Monday, February 06, 2023 02:46 PM. Your email address will not be published. (Allardt) "Spike" is a 3 year old ram. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. They are best raised on pasture and finishing these breeds on feedlots can lead to less desirable meat products as the ethnic market prefers a leaner lamb. Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper Sheep Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep from four regions of the USA were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths - Cornell Small Farms These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! Please indicate pricing as well. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. The saving grace are our Dorpers. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. Thank you. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . The St. Croix breed is descended from the original West African hair sheep although some believe they are a cross breed of Criollo and Wiltshire White sheep. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep (initial BW of 58, 59, and 46 kg, respectively, SEM = 1.75; 3.3 0.18 yr of age, 2.6 - 3.7) from 45 commercial farms in four regions of the USA (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, and central Texas) were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions in a central . Weve found that while genetics play an important role in weight gains, flock management, parasite control, forage quality and forage availability seem to be more important when it comes to the bottom line. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. You will find the occasional larger patch of wool in your pasture and you will definitely find wool and hair on the trees where the sheep rub. Bred Ewes Commercial - Market Sheep. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. keep checking it out! Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States. Another goodproductfromhair sheep is leather. The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. Environmental Adaptability: Well adapted to hot, dry, humid and wet conditions. Origin: This breed is sometimes referred to as Barbados Blackbelly, but it is different from the polled Barbados as a result of crosses with European breeds. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Are Llamas Dangerous? 2022 Cornell Small Farms. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. Tunis are solid breeders and excellent mothers. Sheep: Dorper, White Dorper and Australian White Sheep Exports In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. Hairsheep breeds such as the Barbados Blackbelly and St.Croix are largely found in these tropical areas of the world. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Four Barbados Blackbelly sheep arrived in the United States in 1904. How to Use Goats and Sheep to Clear Brush - Modern Farmer He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. Though size and time to mature are not the Blackbellys strongest points, there are many advantages to raising this hardy breed of sheep. Interested in raising sheep for wool? They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. JavaScript is disabled. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. Owning Goats vs. Sheep FLAVOR Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. Plans for the future include a larger lambing/working shed-currently under construction, later lambing to reduce cold weather losses (10percentdeath loss for everything combined, stillborn, drowning in water tank, mashed, runts, etc. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. Due to their superior conformation and shedding characteristics, they have become one of the most popular breeds of sheep in the U.S. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. You can overcome this by making sure your walls are high enough, and that there is nothing in their enclosure that they can climb onto. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. Culling the genetic faults and only keeping the best rams for breeding will ensure a good future for any new hair sheep breeds. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? Beginning in the mid-1950s, Piel imported three St.Croix sheep. The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. While I cant speak for other hair sheep breeds, Katahdin sheep are often more flighty than many other breeds: Several producers of both hair and wool animals have found coyote losses are considerably lower with Katahdins. The Katahdin breed is an easy to care for, meat type sheep, naturally tolerant of climatic extremes and capable of high performance in a wide variety of environments. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. Often, when a new breed or type is rising in popularity, careful breeding can fall to the wayside in the haste to have stock to sell. It is raised mainly for meat production. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. Some of the ancestors of these breeds originated in Africa and were brought to the Caribbean Islands, Central America and northern South America during the 18th and 19th century. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. Any sheep can technically produce meat, but if youre looking to raise sheep for commercial meat production, youll want to make sure you get a good return on investment. For the Katahdin vs Dorper analysis (Table 1), 8 SNPs under selection were observed in SOCS2, NOS2, TGFB2 and IL2RA genes within OAR3, 11, 12 and 13, respectively. There is no such thing as an ideal breed. To learn more about baby sheep, check out my article Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. Cole, N.A. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, God Save the Beef: Trials of Sustainable Farming in the UK . Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Origin: This mutton breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930s from Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persia for the extensive regions of South Africa. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. Vet. Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Grading up to Dorper. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact | About Us | Sitemap, As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . This breed was imported in the US in 1904 and was crossed with Mouflon (wild sheep), Rambouillet and other European breeds to produce what is known as American Blackbelly. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. This is not a true hair sheep. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. I would never go back to merinos & do not intend having cattle again, My dorper sheep have been lambing only male lambs..i do not know why there are no females being born9males so far..no females. Katahdin x Lacaune. The thickness of a Katahdin sheeps winter coat will vary among individuals, but it needs to shed completely for an A or AA coat classification, which is the norm. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Why Choose St. Croix Hair Sheep? If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. There are lots of Dorper breeders in NC also, as well as "commercial" crossbreeds: You can search this site by States to find Scrapie-free certified breeders of sheep and goats: Ulf, As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. It was a fairly bold move at the time since it meant giving up on the customers who bought breeding stock from me, and since I also didnt know how well my market lambs would sell. Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. Special Notes The Dorper sheep are very hardy animals. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. What sheep breeds are best for meat? We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. Several myths still surround hair sheep. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. The Dorper is not a true hair sheep, but is included in this fact sheet because it is used in cross breeding programs involving hair sheep. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. My Texel and Dorset lambs that I used to have in the past didnt differ that much in flavor, although the WD lambs are indeed milder tasting. If you have space to corral a few sheep, you can fill the freezer with a healthy alternative to beef and chicken. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand heat and cold well, and part of this adjustment to extremes is behavioral. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Lamb meat is known to be more tender and tasty. Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. In this area, hair sheep often sell higher than wool sheep. While hair breeds comprise a small percentage of the number of sheep in North America, this is changing as sustainability becomes a bigger issue for landowners. Sold all our cattle. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. This matters up here as our point of having hair sheep is to eliminate useless shearing. Kasteel Whitedorper Stud - Homepage Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum Katatdin x Dorper . Research Activity | Parasite Immunology | West Virginia University Jacksonville, FL 32254. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. Coat & Color: Has a variety of color ranging from black and tan through yellow with variegated mottled pattern. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. The lambing rate is not as high as other hair breeds. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. Originally bred for their meat, the Katahdin tends to have a wider variation of milk production - some ewes producing significantly more (or significantly less) than the average. Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE PDF Productive Performance of F Dorper vs. Katahdin Ewes Under Semi Hampshire sheep have a muscular and stocky build, and are comparative to the Suffolk in size. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Your email address will not be published. The Royal White produces more mea t than Katahdin sheep and Dorper sheep. Are Llamas Dangerous? Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). Stoneheart Farm was established in 1994 by John and Doreen Simmons. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. With a high rate of multiple births and a gentle temperament, this is a good choice for people looking to start a hair sheep business, particularly in warm climates. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. Im Carmella. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. LMAO!!!! Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. They also have a fat rump, short legs, and a compact body. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. Just like to make a comment. . I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series 22,946 views Mar 15, 2020 417 Dislike Share The Grass-fed Homestead 75.8K subscribers Shepherdess Tess talks about her Dorper sheep breeding program and how. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. Katahdin Sheep: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures This may or may not be the case in other states. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. I would also be interested in bred young ewes. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Instead, I get raving reports back and I never seem to have enough market lambs to make everyone happy. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation.
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